Sheet-feeding mechanism



y 9, 1929- L. R. TUFTS SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 29, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M v u Vco'z LESLEY R'Turrs Gttomu;

SHEET FEEDING MECHAN I SM Filed Dec. 19 24 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I anucnl'oz LE5LEYH.TUPTS.

July 9, 1929. L, R TUFTS 1.720.019

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 1924; 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Emil-.- I HQ5.

d e i 1 July 9, 1929. R, TU'FTS 1.720.019

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM I FiledDec. 29, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,720,019 PATENT -OFF-ICE.

LESLEY R. TUFTS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND FOLDING MA- CHINE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SHEET-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Application filed December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,565.

My invention relates to improvements in sheet-feeding mechanism, and more particularly to the features thereof for insuring a variable speed friction drive for such mechanism; the object thereof being to increase the range of speed variation in a simple and efiicient manner and to permit tlficontrol of said speed from a convenient position upon the machine, together with very close regulation thereof.

In the patent to Trautman, No. 1,413,245, April 18th, 1922, there is shown'apparatus of the same general class to which my present improvements are applied. However,

with the specific mechanism of that patent, not only is it necessary to stop the machine while the friction drive is being adjusted for speed variation, but the operative must manually adjust the mechanism at the friction 20 disc itself and close regulation is obtainable only with theexercise of extreme care and possible readjustment. v

.Accordingly, I have devised and perfected certain im rovements hereinafter explained which attain the object above noted and insure material advantages in simplified construction and o eration of a'machine of the type shown. hese improvements may best be explained by making reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the speed-varying driving mechanism of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation at right angles to that of Fig. 1, which shows associated feedin rolls and gearing,

Fig. 3 is a ragmentary plan view of a sheet-feeding mechanism and roller table centrally broken away; the same being equipped; the instant improvements,

Fig.4 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, showin amodification whereby the range of spec; is materially increased by way of a simple gear adjustment,

Fi 5 is a fragmentary elevation thereof and ig. 6 is another fragmentary plan view of a sheet-feeding mechanism and conveyor table centrally broken away, incorporating the further features of Figs. 4 and 5.

Throughout the several figures of the drawin I have emplo ed the same character 0 reference to in icate similar parts.

Referring first to the general view of Figure 3, a sheet-feeding mechanism of typical construction is illustrated in connection with my present improvements applied thereto. The sheets of paper are advanced therein by the webs or belts a to the feedrolls b, b, optionall of the suction-feed type, as indicated in ig. 2, between which rollsthe sheets of paper are advanced to the rolls a, 0 of the conveying table. In such machines, howevefiait is distinctly of advantage to adjust the'speed at which the sheets are supplied to the rollers "of said conveying' table, and I will now explain the mechanism whereby this is readily accomplished. v

Power is applied to .the friction disc (1 through the radially-bearing friction roll (1 which is splined to rotate with the geared shaft 6. Feed roll I) is driven by the disc (l through the gear train Z, l. The gearing f is driven by the power shaft f upon the lefthand side of the machine. The operative, however, may more advantageously be stationed upon the righthand side of the machine, or, for that matter, in any other convenient position. Accordingly, I have provided a screw adjustment 9* upon the rightside; the same being shown in better detail at the lower portion of Fig. 1.

Said screw adjustment comprises the screw member 12. mounted in the bracket It provided upon themachine frame and reacting against the arm h secured at the righthand end of shaft A forked lever 71 is secured at the lefthand end of said shaft Y 11; its forked terminal engaging within the grooved collar d" integrally connected and rotating with the friction roll d by means of the splined sleeve d By means of the screw adjustment just described it is apparent that the radial position of engagement between the friction disc d and its friction roll d may be very accurately adjusted while the machine is in operation to vary the speed at which the disc andits connected apparatus are driven.

In order to provide a wider range of speed variation, frequently it is desirable to resort to the adjustment provided in the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein a 1nodified gearing j is interposed between the shaft f and the friction roll at. This gear-- ing includes the interchangeable gear wheels j, j", which may be shifted from one crossshaft to the other with a resultant change in the driving speed imparted to the friction roll. This, of course, necessitates a brief shutdown for the feeding mechanism not involved when the screw adjustment is used. Accordingly, in either case, the speed of the sheet-feeding mechanism geared to be driven from the friction disc may independently be adjusted as compared with the drive of the conveyor table through the beveled gears It, is, and the under-running belt 0".

Having now described a sheet-feeding mechanism of approved type to which my improvements have been applied, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, together with such changes as may be made by ordinary skill in the art, the following:

1. Ina sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination with rotatable sheet-feeding means, of a friction disc con-nected to drive said means, a driven friction roller bearing upon said disc, a power shaft, and interchangeable gearing interposed between said shaft and the friction roller for varying the speed of rotation, substantially as set forth.

2. In sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination with rotatable sheet-feeding means, of a friction disc connected to drive said means, a driven friction roller bearing upon said disc, means for adjusting its posit-ion of radial engagement with said disc, a driving shaft, and interchangeable gearing interposed between said shaft and the friction roller for varying the range of its driving speed, substantially as set forth.

3. In a variable speed drivingmechanism, the combination with a friction disc connected for imparting rotary motion, a shaft diametrically positioned with respect to said disc, a friction roller splined for longitudi: nal movement upon said shaft, an adjusting member associated with said roller, an actuating shaft for said member extending at a distance therefrom, and screw-acting means controlling the position of the friction roller with respect to the disc through the actuation of said actuating shaft and adjusting member, substantially as set forth.

4. I11 a variable speed driving mechanism, the combination with a friction driving disc, of a shaft diametrically journaled with respect to said disc, a coacting friction roller splined for longitudinal movement upon said shaft, an actuating arm controlling the position of said roller, an actuating shaft mounting said arm andgextending' at a dis tance therefrom, and screw-acting means for rotating said shaft and arm, whereby the operative position of the roller may be regu-.

lated from a distance, substantially as set forth.

5. In a variable speed driving mechanism of the class described, the combination with a friction disc, of a shaft diametrically journaled adjacent to the face of said disc, a coacting friction roller splined for longitudinal movement in driving engagement at variable positions upon said disc, an actuating arm controlling the position of said roller, an actuating shaft mounting said arm and extending transversely at a distance from said driving mechanism, a second actuating member terminally provided upon said actuating shaft, and screw-acting means operating thereon accurately to regulate the position of the friction roller from a dis t-ance, substantially as set forth.

6. In a sheet-feeding mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable sheet-feeding means, of a friction disc connected to drive said means, a shaft diametrically journaled adjacent to the face of said disc, a coacting friction roller splined thereon for longitudinal adjustment in driving engagement with said disc, an actuating arm controlling the position of said roller, an actuating shaft mounting the arm and extending to the opposite side of said mechanism, a second actuating member terminally mounted upon the shaft, a screw-acting means also at the opposite side of said mechanism provided for the second actuating member, .thereby to regulate the position of the friction roller, a power shaft, and interchangeable gearing interposed between said shaft and the shaft mounting said friction roller for varying the range of its driving speed, substantially as set forth.

7. In sheet-feeding mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable sheet-feeding means, of a friction disc connected to actuate said means, a driven friction roller bearing upon said disc, means operable from the opposite side of said mechanism foradjusting its position of radial engagement with said disc, including an adjusting screw, a driving shaft, conveyor rolls of a conveyor table driven there by, and interchangeable gearing interposed between said shaft and the driven friction roller for varying the rate of its driving speed, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I do now aflix my signature. I

LEsLEY n. TUFTS. 

